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xpressWide variety of personalities, interests, backgrounds, and ages ... a group of friends that spans the decades - from the youth to great - great - grandparents and everything in between."
Online Newsletter
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- How are you?
- Everything all right?
- Like to hear from you.
- Love to see you soon.
- Obviously I miss you.
THE STAR - A sign of the fulfillment of our Father in Heaven's promise that a savior would be provided for the world.
THE COLOUR RED - Red is the first colour of Christmas and a symbol of our Savior's sacrifice in order that we might inherit the gift of eternal life and exaltation.
CHRISTMAS TREE - Green is the second colour of Christmas and symbolizes the everlasting hope of mankind. All the needles point heavenward signifying that our prayers are heard in heaven.
BELL - The sheep are found by the sounds of the bell which reminds us that all are precious in the eyes of our Lord.
CANDLE - The lighting of candles or coloured lights at Christmas show our thanks for the star of Bethlehem and the Christ child of long ago.
GIFT BOW - A bow is placed on a present to remind us of the brotherhood of man. Remember that the bow is tied as man should be, all of us together, with a bond of good will toward each other.
CANDY CANE - The crook of the staff help to bring back the strayed sheep to the flock and reminds us that we are our brother's keeper.
HOLLY WREATH - A wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of life and love. It has no end for those who have faith in the Saviour whom we honour with our Christmas celebration.
May these symbols help bring meaning to all of your celebrations.
I have been reminded recently that not all of our members will be celebrating Christmas. Some celebrate Hanukkah for example. Bigsis Pat provided this article ... Will Your Hanukkah Survive the Christmas Frenzy? This is an excellent time to remind ourselves to always be open to learn about beliefs and holidays of other religions after all The World Wide Web Circle of Friends is "International" with members from all over the world -- the ultimate multicultural society. Different members celebrate different holidays and if you are ever lucky enough to take part in these celebrations be prepared for some fun. In turn, celebrate Christmas and other Christian holidays with your non Christian friends.
I have a few special requests for each and every one of our members. First, please take a moment to submit your updated Membership Profile Survey. Also do be sure to email Bigsis Pat a picture of yourself so that she can include it with your survey on the Meet The Members Site. Then take a moment to grab a cup of your favourite beverage sit back and read all about the other members on the Meet The Members Site. This is a very enjoyable way to relax and enjoy some some quiet moments for yourself.
Next, thank you to all those members who submitted a favourite recipe to Daphne in Argentina for a secret project she is working on. For those of you who have not yet sent one in please do so whenever you have the chance. Our guardian angel, Claudia, aka The Recipe Lady maintained a website of recipes on MSN, for the WWWCOF. Your recipe submissions will keep Claudia in our hearts and minds always.
Last but not least Vicki from Vancouver Island, Canada tells me that the Canadian Post Office is selling snowman or nativity Christmas stamps. But unless you specifically ask, they won't sell you the nativity stamps. They are saying that unless enough people buy the nativity stamps, they won't make them another year. Another way to keep Christ out of Christmas.
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Pot Pie
Pot pies are a wonderful way to use up leftovers, or you can create a tasty meal from scratch. A pot pie usually is topped with a crust, this can be a biscuit crust, mashed potatoes, pastry, dumplings or your favourite cornbread recipe. The main base of the potpie is a stew, usually made with chicken, but any meat can be substituted. With a variety of vegetables, a creamy sauce and some herbs for flavour.
Chicken potpie
- 3 1/2 lb Chicken - One has a couple of options, one is to simmer the bird in a stock pot full of water til cook through; or roast it, then remove the meat from the carcass and then shred into bite-size pieces.
- 5 tblsp Butter - melt in frying pan.
- 1/2 lb Sweet potato - Cut into 1/2" pieces and saute in butter until half cooked through.
- 2 carrots - cut into 1/4" cubes
- 2 celery ribs - cut into 1/4" cubes
- 1 leek - cut into 1/4" rounds, use the white and light green part only and wash.
- 1/2 lb button mushrooms - Add to the pan and saute for about 5 mins.
- 5 Tbsp flour - add to the pan and cook, stirring for one minute.
- 1/2 c white wine
- 1 1/2 c Chicken stock
- 1 c Milk - Slowly add this (flour, wine, chicken stock & milk) to the vegetable mixture and stir until thick and bubbly.
- 2 Tbsp parsley-chopped
- 1 tsp tarragon
- 1 tsp thyme - Add all these ingredients (parsley, lemon, salt & pepper, tarragon and thyme) to the stew and pour into a casserole dish. Top with your favourite topping.
Use your leftovers, try adding some flavour to the mashed potatoes like a touch of horse radish or some fresh sage. Cheddar cheese is yummy, or try some feta cheese or parmesan in the potatoes. Or how about some green onions.
Biscuit crust
- 1c flour - put in a food processor.
- 1 tsp Thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt and pepper
- 1/3 c Butter-chilled and cut into cubes - Add thyme, salt & pepper and butter to the flour in the food processor and pulse til it resembles coarse meal.
- 3 Tbsp Cold water
- 1 egg yolk - Add the cold water and egg yolk to the processor while the motor is running, and process til the dough holds together.
Dumplings
Bring the stew mixture to a simmer, do not boil, drop the dough into 6-8 mounds on the surface of the stew. Simmer uncovered for 10 mins, then cover and simmer for 10 mins.
Cornbread
- 3 Tbsp butter, melted and cooled
- 3 Tbsp Honey
- 3/4 c yoghurt
- 1 egg, beaten lightly
Mix into the batter 1/2 c Monterey Jack cheese - grated and 2 Jalapeno peppers - seeded and diced fine. Drop spoonfuls around the edge of the casserole dish, bake 10 mins @ 400* the 30mins @ 350*
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Bigsis Pat's Report Page for December
Bigsis Pat has put together a Christmas Memories Page which just might contain the survey you submitted. Be sure to enjoy a visit to that site and be sure to email Pat and let her know what you think of these great Christmas Pages.
Wondering about who our members are .... check out the updated Meet the Members pages .
Do you have some contests or free samples that you would like to share with the members. Be sure to let us know!
Pami from New York ... our Queen of Free!
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Be sure to visit our Circle's Planet Awareness site. Take a look and tell us what is happening (or not) in your area
The Circle's Planet Awareness site is continually updated so do check it out and email your thoughts to Daphne from Argentina today!
What is a Cow?
A cow is a completely automated milk-manufacturing machine. It is encased in untanned leather and mounted on four vertical, movable supports, one at each corner. The front end of the machine, or input, contains the cutting and grinding mechanism, utilizing a unique feedback device. Here also are the headlights, air inlet and exhaust, a bumper and a foghorn.
At the rear, the machine carries the milk-dispensing equipment as well as a built-in flyswatter and insect repeller. The central portion houses a hydro-chemical conversion unit. Briefly, this consists of four fermentation and storage tanks connected in series by an intricate network of flexible plumbing. This assembly also contains the central heating plant complete with automatic temperature controls, pumping station and main ventilating system. The waste disposal apparatus is located to the rear of this central section.
Cows are available fully-assembled in an assortment of sizes and colors. Production output ranges from 2 to 20 tons of milk per year. In brief, the main external visible features of the cow are: two lookers, two hookers, four stander-uppers, four hanger-downers, and a swishy-wishy.
Now you know.
Sent to us from our recently appointed WWWCOF Humouratarian - Rosina from Nova Scotia Canada. Be sure to email Rosina with congratulations on her appointment to this position.
Steve & Ami's wedding
Steve & Ami's wedding
Charla from Florida sent this to me and I know it is the Season to Be Jolly and all that but I can not let this go without adding my "two cents worth".
Target Corporation will continue to ban the Salvation Army from their 1,351 stores this Christmas season. The Army will not be allowed to place their red kettles in front of Target stores.
Despite increased need caused by the hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Target continues to bar the Salvation Army.
This ban by Target is a result of pressure put on the company by homosexual groups. Homosexual activists have targeted the Salvation Army for years because of the Army's refusal to recognize their lifestyle. Target is a supporter of various homosexual causes.
While Target contributes to homosexual groups, the company publicly states that they will not contribute to any religious groups. For Target, homosexual organizations are worthy of financial support, Christian and Jewish organizations are not.
The Salvation Army does not cram religion down people's throats. They simply show love by providing them with a few necessities like food, clothing, shelter and love, the basic needs of all people everywhere. My father, God Rest His Soul, was a WWII Army Veteran and I fondly remember his stories of how much help the troops received from the Salvation Army ... perhaps the most touching was stories of being given warm, dry socks! I always donate to the Salvation Army as I believe that they do a lot of good for many people!
Additionally, I am not sure if I should address this topic of homosexuality vs religion but something is telling me that I must dare to. If I offend anyone I am sorry and I look forward to your feedback on this topic. Those of you who have known me for a long time know that I am a "live and let live" type of person but there must always be equality! No prejudices ... no persecutions!
Correct me if I am wrong but was not the North American continent founded on Christian principles. Christmas is definitily a Christian principle. Are we going so far to try to not offend that we are losing our own identity as a caring Christian nation? Now whether you agree with that or not, something stinks with Target ... to consider homosexual organizations worthy of financial support, while Christian and Jewish organizations are not seems at the very least inequitable .... what do you think? I know that if we had Target stores where I live; I would not be shopping there. SHAME ON YOU TARGET ... SHAME SHAME SHAME
Please send in some craft ideas for us!
Do be sure to take a moment to email them and say hello from your corner of the globe!
- Hope all is well ... Larry, was upset with me because I told Jodie, about his Echocardiogram results ... so needless to say I should not be writing this but I know your concerned ... as I am ... well he is not too clear as to what the DR had to say ... but from what I can understand ... there is damage to a muscle in the heart area due to long time BP probs ... since I have known Larry, he has had it under control ... but I do not know how bad it was before we met ... well the blood flow to his heart has been restricted ... too slow ... but please do not quote me ...I have to pull the words out of his mouth ... the DR upped the dosage of his water pill and has put him on Potassium ... he also prescribed a Beta Blocker for Larry ... this helps the blood flow ... Larry, refuses to take them ... I am at wits end with him and I am tired of talking until I am blue in the face ... he also feels since I don't like drinking period that is the reason I told him to quit or cut back ...I just do not know what else to do ... please pray for him ... and also for me ... will be in touch ...
Love You Arlene from Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Just got back in and am on my way out again. My computer is cable so it is always on and I see I missed a good chat this am. When I came back all kinds of things had popped up here. I forgot to change my status. Just wanted to let you know I wasn't actually there when it looked like I was. Sorry I missed everyone.
I'll try to catch you all next time. Cindy from Phillipston, MA USA
- Just been nosing the Global express, (probably the only paper that I have
read from cover to cover). It's to big for me to print every week, so I have to
ask "D" to show me how to sort out the parts of most interest.
IF! It is only a little word but by heck it has a big meaning. IF i had my own computer (or for that matter room to put one) I would happly take on the task of birthday reminders but alas I can't BOO HOO!
I have also been looking throught the members photo album, it's great; can't sign the guest book though, slight problem there, for some reason I ended up at Romi's old site which dosent exist now have to ask D why.
We went to the Christmas fair - home made crafts and home produce for sale, lots of ideas to "Borrow". Ive been working on Christmas banner for Daph's garage - mostly cut and stick (on paper not metathoricly in cyber space) based on happy christmas:
H is for hammper baskets of goodie thanks for harvest grown It's pretty hard work, but I've got there, nearly finnished. Do you want the rest of the rhyme for christmas part of the banner?
A is for angles, heavenly creatures special folk that have flown
P is for people, present and past with memories of xmas for ever last
P is for presents, franksents merr and gold their value is in the love we hold
Y was tricky, a yule log you see a choc cake yummy yummy time for tea
( have you got the idear yet?)If any members are intrested in wild birds here is an intristing webb site from the ROYAL SOCIETY PROTECTION BIRDS. I think they: I'm sure in fact that their work is world wide. Well must close now I want a cuppa! Sylvia from Jolly Old England
- THIS IS JUST BEAUTIFUL. New Prince, New Pomp - Christmas Flash Movie I ALSO EXPLORED THE SITE AND WATCHED A FEW OF THEIR OTHER CLIPS.
Please enjoy! Arlene from Arizona
Arlene shares some wonderful memories about her Aunt Grace who passed away recently. Aunt Grace ... she was a wonderful lady and just that ... a fine lady .... she had just turned 84 yrs old in August and had 2 children, and 4 grandchildren and great grandchildren ... we all loved her dearly ... Aunt Grace, was very close to my Mother (who has passed away) and she watched me grow up ... for yrs she worked in the United Nations in NYC and always had a very interesting story to tell ... to look at Grace, you would never believe she was of Italian decent as she was blonde and blue eyed such as I am ... although my Dad, was blonde and Holland ... I loved her like my second Mother and I miss her terribly ....
- Bea from the Catskills would like us to Check Out Santa!
- Jami from Hagerstown, MD sends us some Christmas Love
- Bigsis Pat from Ontario, Canada reminds us to Teach the Children
- Linda from Tallassee, AL, USA would like to share this really neat site!! Just click here>/A> and spend a few peaceful minutes.
Birthdays and Anniversaries for the upcoming week include:
Birthdays
- Dec 12 - Peter Spanyi (Belinda's hubby)
- Dec 14 - Rick Herring (Susan's Hubby)
- Dec 15 - Shadonna Ellis and Ivette Otero
- Dec 16 Cindy Lussier
Anniversaries
Cindy and Vern are celebrating their 2nd anniversary also on December 16
Take a moment to email those celebrating their special days and share in their celebrations!
Be sure to check out our WWWCOF's Celebration Calendar! If your special days are not listed let Bigsis Pat know and she will be sure to get them included!
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Ruby, our very own travelling mascot, is on her way to Australia to spend Christmas with her "mama".
Ruby worries in case your name is not on the list to receive her, since she wants to go EVERYWHERE and visit EVERYONE in the Circle. She has asked me to add anyone who lets us know on here or by visiting her new online journal. You can read up on all her travels here or have fun playing her games.
Please advise of any broken links.
Please be sure to visit our Catalogue for all your Christmas shopping needs!
Would you to join our ever growing list of member merchants? It is fun and it is free to have a listing in our World Wide Web Circle of Friends Catalogue.
Choose your friends with caution, plan your future with purpose and frame your life with faith.
In this issue...
- Ruby
- Department of Vital Statistics
- Reunion News
- December Report
- Planet Kryzys
- Cookbook
- Messages from Members
- Crafts
- Tests & Quizzes
- Prayer Requests
- Humour
- Member Celebrations
- Memories
- Friendship Anchors
- WWWCOF Catalogue
- SoapBox
- Free Samples
- Bragging Rights
Lena from Ontario wants to know how coordinated you are and invites you to play this Chicken and Egg game.
Pami from New York wonders what Christmas Ornament are you? She is a Christmas Dove and I am a Christmas Garland which are commonly used to decorate Christmas trees. Did you know they were first introduced in 1890 by German company Lauscha (Thuringa) in the form of shaped glass beads strung together?
Ever wondered which planet is under the greatest pressure. For the answer to this and all kinds of "odd" things be sure to check out Arca Max Publishing which Lena from Ontario sent along for our enjoyment.
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So much to see and do in Florida so be sure to mark down the dates for Reunion 2006 on your calendars. This historic event will take place March 17th (St. Patrick's Day) to March 20th, 2006. Can't wait to meet you there!
PLEASE SEND ANY UPDATES AS TO NEEDING PRAYER OR CHANGING PRAYER OR THANKING GOD FOR HIS HEALING SO WE CAN UPDATE OUR PRAYER REQUESTS.
(WWWCOF MEMBERS)
MAXINE - Please continue to pray for her Grandson, Zane who has kidney disease. Also her good friend who has been diagnosed with kidney cancer. Let's lift Maxine and her family up for strength and healing.
CHELSEA - (GRANDDAUGHTER OF CLAUDIA) PLEASE PRAY FOR CHELSEA AND ALL OF THE COF MEMBERS TOUCHED BY THE PASSING OF OUR DEAR MEMBER CLAUDIA. THAT WE KEEP IN MIND THE PRECIOUS LIVES OF EACH OF US AND JUST HOW MUCH WE ALL MEAN TO EACH OTHER. CHRISTINE MILLS Christine needs to be lifted up in prayer for unspoken requests. Let's keep Christine in our daily prayers.
CINDY - Please lift Cindy and her Family up for God to intervene and heal where and when needed. Also to keep Cindy focused on His Almighty Power.
FLORIDA MARIE - Please keep Fl Marie in prayer as she and her daughter Karen are in North Carolina awaiting Karens daughters first baby's arrival. Jamie (the granddaughter) is having somewhat of a time keeping the little fella interested in making an entrance into this world. He keeps changing his mind. Jamie may have to be induced soon. So let's keep her and the little one in prayer for a healthy delivery and for Fl Marie and Karen a safe return home.
NANCY - Let's please keep Nancy in daily prayer as she is going through chemo now and will be going through radiation the end of December. This will be and is a hard treatment for her. Nancy we are all praying for your recovery. May God Heal you. Also she is going through a hard time right now physically and mentally. She shares the same illness our Dear Claudia had and misses Claudia in that she was a true friend of strength. Claudia helped Nancy through many times when Nancy felt no need to keep going. So let's keep Nancy in our prayers constantly as she has a triple whammy of hurts at this time. We all love you Nancy and remember God is always there and so are we!
LENA - Please pray God intervenes and does not allow the church her and her husband attends to be closed. The Pastors are having meetings to discuss this because of low attendance records. God is there even if only one shows up. Pray God will Bless this Church and the attendance will grow in number and in spirit. Also the ones attending will work to help it grow. They will know the decision after the first of the year.
REUNION 2006 - Prayer for all who want to attend to be provided for that the reunion will make all of us even closer.
WWWCOF - All members that have needs and haven't asked for prayer that their needs be met.
LINDA NEELY - Linda has a prayer request of utmost importance. Her husband has severe enphesyma and COPD. Her number one wish/prayer is for her husband to be well enough to enjoy this Christmas and New year with their family. Let's keep them in constant prayer.
JAYNE - Please keep Jayne in your prayers. She has been going through some tough times and has somewhat been mentally drained. Let's Pray continually for her healing and strength. Also the passing of Claudia has been extra rough on her as they were so close. Pray for her to get through this with Gods healing power.
ARLENE - Arlene is facing eye surgery soon and is somewhat scared as we all would be. PLease pray for God to guide the hands of the surgeon and use him to heal Arlenes eyes and to comfort her in her fear. Also Larry has not gotten all his tests back yet and they are also concerned as to what they may show. Please keep Larry in your prayers to make the tests ok and to heal whatever may be. Also Arlene is having a very hard time with the passing of her Aunt. She misses her very much as they were very close. Please let's just uplift Arlene for all her needs and comforts to be met. Hang in there Arlene you are in the hands of "THE GREAT HEALER!"
MARIE - (aka Peachy) Aunt Marie is going through some very hard stress right now. She needs our prayers to get through it all. Also prayer to undo the mess the insurance company here has put them through. Pray all will be fixed and she will be relieved of this mess. Let's also remember Uncle Garnett he is having some trouble with his legs. So let's add a special prayer for him also.
CHARLA - I am once again going through some painful infection problems and I am on very strong antiobiotics. It is making me very sick. Please pray for healing and that the infection stays healed. This is not the time of year to be sick! Also unspoken prayer request for My Husband John. God knows the need.
(NON MEMBERS)
MARGIE LINDER) Charla's Mother in Indiana, for her to be as comfortable as possible in the fight with her cancer as the doctors say it will be spreading through her body. She is 74 yrs old. Charla needs prayer with this time of facing what is ahead, as does the rest of her family.
JONNA SIMMONS) Charla's daughter, please pray for Jonna to get a stable job soon as possible and pray for her strength from temptation as she goes back to the real world of pressures. Also to let God make the decisions and trust Him as His will is done.
FRAN HAUF) Her husband Joe, will be going through some major surgery for cancer on Dec 12th. Please pray for healing and for peace and strength for Fran and Joe as they face this. Fran lost her first husband some years ago and is now facing this possibility again. We know with prayer God can and will do anything!(this is Haley's grand parents on her Daddy's side)
PHILLIP MAILOUGH) This is Flmarie's daughter-in-laws (Marilee's) Father. He has congestive heart failure and has been in the hospital for a while. His kidneys have now shut down and is on a machine. Please pray for God's will to be done and for the strength for Marilee. She is about run ragged with hospitals and work. He has now been transferred to Shands hospital in Gainesville Fl. May God's healing hand be upon Phillip.
KIRK RATHBURN) Flmarie's son) Kirk had his surgery Dec 6th and it went well. Now please pray for Kirk as he is in very much pain. He needs prayer that this surgery has done the job and he will be back to as "normal" as can be.
KAREN SIMMONS) Charla's sister in law, since being diagnosed with diabetes it seems one more thing found wrong everytime she turns around. Please pray for her healing. This is a very special person and has a huge heart for everyone.
JOYCE BORG) (very special lady at church)- unspoken
MARTI) Let's keep her in prayer continually. She is still recovering from the head on collision in which she got a broken ankle, hand, ribs and a fracture in her neck. Don't forget to "PRAISE GOD SHE IS ALIVE!" This is a friend of Linda Carlson.
RALPH) Also a friend of Linda's, strength and peace as he has had to experience the passing of his wife.
KEVIN RATHBURN;(FLMARIES SON) Unspoken
TIMOTHY MILLER) Unspoken...This is Haley's Daddy All those who are touched by unhappiness, lonliness, disease, financial, or worry during this time of year that somewhere God will send an answer or a healing where needed.
Charla has the following special request . A young man of 14 yrs old was hit by a runaway driver on Thanksgiving Eve in my sons neighborhood. This young man was skateboarding and was hit and killed from behind. They finally caught the driver and he was on probation and of course was speeding. The parents of this young man are devastated. PLease pray for their comfort and God's strength to help them through this horrible time. Every Thanksgiving will be such an awful memory for them. Please continue to keep this family in prayer. The Mother is in a very bad state right now and may have to be hospitalized for a breakdown. Please keep this family in your prayers as they really need it especially at this time of year.
OUR TROOPS: PLEASE KEEP OUR TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN YOUR PRAYERS DAILY. THEY ARE DEFENDING OUR FREEDOM AND OUR LIVES WHILE THEIR OWN FAMILIES ARE WITHOUT THEM THROUGH THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES.
I want to give "PRAISE" to our LORD for the wonderful CHRISTMAS PARADE we had here in Deland last Saturday evening. I have never seen such a wonderful display of the real REASON for the SEASON. Every float except 2 out of about 30, was testifing to the birth of CHRIST. Using Christmas in their words instead of "Holiday." It was truly a wonderful boost and expression of the real meaning of LOVE.
A very Merry Christmas to All Charla
I hope you have enjoyed this week's issue.
Have an awesome day; take a moment to think of one of the members you have not met yet and take the time to email them and say hello and know that someone is thinking about you today too.
I would like to close off this newsletter with some thoughts about CHARITY
Charity is felt within the heart. We have pure love when, from the heart, we show genuine concern and compassion for all. Love is never wasted and Charity is the greatest of all virtues. When we have charity we are filled with good feelings for all people. We are patient and kind. We are not boastful or proud, selfish or rude. When we have charity we do not remember or rejoice in the evil others have done. Neither do we do good things just because it is to our advantage. When we have charity we are loyal, we believe the best of others, and we defend them. When we really have charity these good feelings stay with us forever.
To be charitable we must first learn to love, respect and trust ourselves. When we love ourselves we become content with who we are and we are successful in helping others.
You don't always see them,
but you know they are always there!
Do be sure to check out our
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ORLD
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